We found out that no matter what criteria we used to
compile the list of “the Best of the Best Nigerian footballers of all time,’ it
will still remain arguable.
But rather than use the rule of thumb in choosing
players that made the list, we decided to establish some kind of criteria:
4. Austin ‘Jay-jay
Okocha: There hasn’t been any African player that could get near Jay-Jay in
terms of his magical skills and flair…. His ball tricks, flicks, leg-over were something
out of this world.
In 2004, Pele listed Okocha in his list of the
greatest 125 living players of all time. In 2007, Okocha was voted the 12th
greatest African footballer of the past 50 years.
He won the inaugural edition of BBC African
footballer of the year Award in 2003 and retained the Award in 2004.
He was a member of the Nigeria national team that
won African cup of nation in 1994 and the Dream team that won Olympic gold
Medal in Atlanta 1996.
3. Teslim ‘Thunder’
Balogun: Arguably the most popular Nigerian footballer of all time… whose
fame has span over five decades since 1949.
Thunder balogun has become a kind of Superhero in
the Nigeria folklore… it was said that Balogun’s shot rip open the stomach of a
player and burst through the goal net.
But in reality, Balogun was the first Nigerian
footballer to sign a professional football contract abroad with FC Peterborough
in the UK. He brought so much attention to Nigeria at a time the country is
largely unknown in many part of the world.
2. Rasheed
Yekini: Perhaps, one of African best Player to walk on earth. Nigeria’s
leading all time goals scorer. Yekini was a menace to defenders… some worth unstoppable
giant with speed equivalent to that of Usain Bolt.
Yekini scored
Nigeria’s first world cup goal
and also helped Nigeria win the 1994 African Cup of Nation’s in Tunisia… he was
the highest goal scorer of the tournament.
Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for the
Nigerian national team – Super Eagles.
Yekini started his professional career in Nigeria
with IICC Shooting Stars and became the leading goal scorer in the local
league. He moved on to win the leading scorer in Ivory Coast league with African
Sports.
He then travelled to Europe and also became the
leading goal scorer in Portuguese’s league with 34 goals in 32 appearances for
Vitoria Setubal in 1993 – 94 seasons.
Yekini won the CAF African Footballer of the year
Award twice in 1990 and 1993. He was also member of the Super Eagles team that
won the African cup of nations in 1994.
1.Nwankwo
Kanu: Popularly called “Papilo” during his playing days. Kanu is perhaps
the best Nigerian player to have ever lived. His amazingly ball intelligence
was in fact supernatural. Pele once said that kanu played more with his head
than legs. You can never know what next is in his bag of tricks…
Kanu is probably one of Africa’s most decorated footballers
in history. .. He won UEFA Champions League trophy with Ajax, UEFA Cup with Inter
Milan, three English FA Cup, one English Premier League, Olympic Gold Medal…
Kanu was voted by his club Arsenal as the 13th
greatest Gunner of all time. He won CAF African footballer of the year twice in
1996 and 1999.
He was the captain of Nigeria’s original Dream team
that won Gold Medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
First time to see unbiased list. Thanks for sharing
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